Explaination
Nic (Network Interface Card)
A Hardware interface between a device (such as a printer or computer) and the network transmission media (such as cables or radio waves). Hard coded on the NIC card is the MAC address that is present in all data sent to and from the card.
Repeater
Regenerates signals for retransmission. Moves packets from
one physical media to another. Will pass broadcast storms.
Cannot connect different network topologies or access
methods.
Bridge
Bridges are used to segment networks. They forward packets
based on address of destination node. Uses RAM to build a
routing table based on hardware addresses. Some bridge
types are capable of connecting dissimilar network topologies.
Will forward all protocols. Regenerates the signal at the
packet level.
Remote Bridge
Same as bridge, but used for telephone communications.
Uses STA (Spanning Tree Algorithm).
Router
Routes packets across multiple networks. Uses RAM to build a
routing table based on network addresses (i.e. IP address).
Shares status and routing information to other routers to
provide better traffic management and bypass slow
connections. Will not pass broadcast traffic. Are slower than
bridges due to complex functions. Strips off Data Link Layer
source and destination addresses and then recreates them for
packets. Routers can accommodate multiple active paths
between LAN segments. Will not pass unroutable protocols.
Brouter
Will act as a router for specified protocols and as a bridge for
other specified protocols.
Gateway
Used for communications between different NOS's (i.e.
Windows NT and IBM SNA). Takes the packet, strips off the
old protocol and repackages it for the receiving network.
Multiplexer Device that can divide transmissions into two or more
channels.
Switches
Hub with bridging capabilities. Switch filters traffic through
MAC addresses. Creates sessions on ports within the hub.
Used when upgrading to 100mb Fast Ethernet.
Modem
A Contraction for modulator/demodulator that describes a device used to convert digital data into analog (or waveform) signals for transmission along analog signal carriers. The device also converts received analog signals into digital data to be used by a computer.
|
|
